EXPLORATION • DRILLING • FIELD SERVICES


Jackup players collaborate in new project L


ack of properly assessed and defined wear limits for jacking systems can lead to considerable


downtimes with financial implications for jackup operations. DNV GL, supported by leading players in the jackup industry, has established a joint industry project (JIP), to provide guidelines on determining relevant wear criteria for self-elevating units. The ‘Wear acceptance criteria for


jacking systems’ JIP, is expected to begin in early 2016 with 11 partners already confirmed. The JIP is building on a DNV GL Recommended Practice (RP) issued in 2014 to address maintenance and inspection challenges of a jackup system. It will document relevant design arguments, considerations and calculations to enable the industry to define acceptance criteria and develop


guidance on the correct assessment of jacking systems in a RP. “Defining maximum limits of wear


across all parts of a jacking system is technically complex,” says Michiel van der Geest, product manager offshore classification, DNV GL - Maritime. “It not only involves the interaction of all elements of the system, including the different materials applied, but also relevant operational and maintenance strategy considerations. Incorrect or unclear assessments


can increase cost and also the reliability and availability of jacking systems. By creating a clear guidance this JIP will improve asset management and reduce delays and maintenance costs.” Several partners have expressed the need for this JIP. “There is a clear benefit in participating in this JIP, taking into consideration the need of users,


class authorities and OEMs to have a common language when talking about jacking systems. The recommended practice that will be issued from this JIP will give the users confidence in long term predictive operation, supported by OEM diagnosis,” says Philippe Gadreau, Chairman and CEO of NOV- BLM. l


For more information visit www.dnvgl.com


UK’s first open-access downhole test facility launched A


n expert in fluid engineering, BHR Group, has launched a commercially available, open-


access downhole test facility, based in Cranfield, UK. The onshore facility is the first of its kind in the UK, providing an easily accessible, secure, flexible, onshore environment that accurately reproduces downhole conditions. The facility can be utilised for a variety of applications across a number of different sectors, and can be booked over six months in advance. With the growing need for


deepwater exploration and production and future plans for ultra-deep wells, the reliability of subsea and downhole equipment is of vital concern to the oil and gas sector. In hostile downhole environments, long service life is crucial for equipment that can be extremely costly to repair and maintain. Assuring reliability is crucial since intervention, where


20 www.engineerlive.com


it’s possible for subsea equipment, frequently involves the mobilisation of specialised technologies and often has a significant impact on production. To minimise the risk of a costly well shut-in, greater emphasis is being placed


on the reliability of subsea systems, and realistic downhole testing of subsea components is a critical part of product development, testing and approval. BHR’s new facility is fully fitted with


CCTV that can be accessed via VPN, enabling round the clock monitoring. The facility’s instrumentation and the data generated can also be viewed over the VPN, allowing remote, real- time access to data. The facility is entirely customisable and able to be modified for specific technical requirements. Tests can be conducted to industry standards or to the client¹s own test specification. The facility can be used for product


development and qualification testing of downhole equipment such as: pumping equipment; separators; instrumentation; and drilling fluids. l


For more information visit www.bhrgroup.com


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